Voter fraud in Minneapolis?; Update: Video added
posted at 10:40 am on November 4, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
Our local Fox affiliate in the Twin Cities gave a last-minute update on ACORN and its efforts to register voters, over and over again. The latest scandal appears to be ACORN’s registration of convicted felons — from prison:
Tomorrow may set a record for voter turnout in Minnesota, but the Fox 9 Investigators discovered one group registered to vote, who shouldn’t be voting at all. They’re convicted felons, and in some cases they’re registering to vote from prison. How is that possible? Reporter Tom Lyden searched hundreds of thousands of data records to find the answers.
Fox 9 does not provide an embed code for their video, so you’ll have to click over to their page to view the report. Mostly it’s a rehash of ACORN allegations from around the country, but we can now count Minnesota as yet another state in which an investigation will get launched into ACORN’s practices. The mention of prison registrations comes in Part II of the interview, so be sure to see both links.
If ACORN goes to prisons to register voters, that’s about as explicit an act of registration fraud one can show in court.
Update: Here’s the video from part II:
Blowback
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So, why is ACORN still in existence? Why aren’t these jerks in jail?
ErinF on November 4, 2008 at 10:44 AM
Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find me, unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate;
I am the captain of my soul.
Mr. Joe on November 4, 2008 at 10:44 AM
At least they have real names and a permanent residence…for 7 to 15 years.
SKYFOX on November 4, 2008 at 10:45 AM
Yeesh…why bother?
flipflop on November 4, 2008 at 10:45 AM
The ends justify the means.
The radical left screams for “justice,” but sees the world so skewed as to consider it impossible that “justice” be brought about justly. So the commit injustice, and justify this injustice, implicitly, by their cause… which is justice.
But when we cry injustice, they say it’s “just us.”
BrotherTheophilus on November 4, 2008 at 10:45 AM
Check out the post card I got hold of from Keith Ellison.
I’m betting he has a finger in this.
Minnesocold on November 4, 2008 at 10:45 AM
Will it take a civil uprising to stop these bastards?
rplat on November 4, 2008 at 10:46 AM
ErinF, you ask why…my answer is that it’s been a long time since a Boston Tea Party -type event, a mass boycott of taxes.
LibertyBoyNYC on November 4, 2008 at 10:46 AM
I put this in another thread…
Anyone in Missouri want to try to get a ballot inititive or const. Amendment going to outlaw 3rd Party Registerations? Something along the lines of ‘you must show up in person with ID to register.’ Make it as painless as possible, but put a stop to this handing in thousands of hard-to-check cards.
JamesLee on November 4, 2008 at 10:48 AM
Yeah, we need one of them, too. Maybe a few. I remind that most hard-working Americans chip in 30%-40% or thereabouts of their yearly income, so that groups like ACORN can dilute our vote. I’m thinking a mass tax boycott is inevitable. I refuse to pay for ACORN to dilute the efficacy of my vote.
LibertyBoyNYC on November 4, 2008 at 10:48 AM
Yeah. We will know where to find them. It will be easier than park benches in Ohio.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on November 4, 2008 at 10:49 AM
The important thing, though, is for Conservatives to restrain themselves from saying anything inflammatory about ACORN and their minions.
Prosecute? Hell no!
It will only be perceived as Racist and we will be portrayed as Haters.
We have to exhibit class as we are Republicans.
To y’all who subscribe to the above, GFY.
there it is on November 4, 2008 at 10:49 AM
Do they require a photo ID in Minnesota? If they do, registering prisoners wouldn’t work, because a prisoner couldn’t get to the polls.
The problem would be someone else voting in the prisoner’s name by absentee ballot.
Steve Z on November 4, 2008 at 10:50 AM
I guess The One does not have this election sewn up after all, since he has to cheat in states that are traditionally blue.
CurtZHP on November 4, 2008 at 10:50 AM
I’m fine with ACORN going to prison.
It’s letting them out afterward that bothers me.
BKennedy on November 4, 2008 at 10:50 AM
No, the sad part is that you can register and vote the same day in MN. How do you think they ended up with Governor Jesse Ventura?
CurtZHP on November 4, 2008 at 10:51 AM
the time is ripe for a tax revolt. Throw the big spenders overboard.
Fozzy Bear on November 4, 2008 at 10:51 AM
In 2004, CBS3 in Philadelphia caught people illegally delivering absentee ballots to inmates in PA state prisons. That was probably ACORN too. This is nothing new.
rockmom on November 4, 2008 at 10:52 AM
And, with Obama as President and Harry and Nancy in charge, ACORN will get even MORE of our MONEY!
VOTE NO on OBAMA
originalpechanga on November 4, 2008 at 10:52 AM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DyVjqRApOoc
Check out Hillary in the polling place. Unbelievable.
bloggless on November 4, 2008 at 10:53 AM
RACIST!
That’s their tactic. Any calling of them to account gets shouted down by slanderous statements that have no basis in fact but are merely done to stir passions. It’s utterly disgusting the way they bully the system. But that’s par for the course when you consider they want to increase the power of the state over you. They aren’t anti-violence, they jsut want to aim it at anyone who disagrees with them.
rbj on November 4, 2008 at 10:53 AM
If a voter log is fradulent, votes can be frauded. It’s that simple. Many districts do NOT require ID to vote. Many districts are NOT manned by bipartisan, ethical election workers. It’s just that simple. People keep debating the “IF”, but there is no “IF”. It’s that simple.
LibertyBoyNYC on November 4, 2008 at 10:54 AM
I was really hoping that we could at least get though this election cycle without the Republicans stealing yet another election. When are we going to get it though our heads that this country can not and will not survive unless we can get rid of republicans and their perverse ways? Thankfully BO will descend on and embrace our land and make everything right. Nothing, not even the corrupt efforts of a has been theology can withstand the mighty BO.
jmarcure on November 4, 2008 at 10:55 AM
No, the sad part is that you can register and vote the same day in MN.
Yes, it’s really a sad state of affairs it’s easy for a person to cast a vote.
Tom_Shipley on November 4, 2008 at 10:55 AM
Voting fraud in Florida
Phoenician on November 4, 2008 at 10:55 AM
I agree with ErinF.
Is ACORN so twisted and entangled in our system that no matter what they do, no matter how many fraudulent, illegal acts they commit, nothing will be done to them?
We have seen what appears to be rampant, partian (pronounced: DEMOCRAT) fraud in this election (and, I’m sure, in elections past), yet it’s not worthy of correcting?
Breathe in … breathe out … breathe in …
VibrioCocci on November 4, 2008 at 10:55 AM
and the democRATs even make it easy for the deceased to vote!!!
right4life on November 4, 2008 at 10:58 AM
Voter fraud and fighting voter fraud from Slublog at Ace of Spades. The McCain Voter Fraud hotline number is 866-976-VOTE. [I don't have a phone handy; does someone want to 'translate' the VOTE into numerals?]
andycanuck on November 4, 2008 at 10:58 AM
Is ACORN so twisted and entangled in our system that no matter what they do, no matter how many fraudulent, illegal acts they commit, nothing will be done to them?
The reason that ACORN is still in existence and charges have not been brought against the group itself is that all the acts of voter-registration fraud (alleged and proven) have been acts of employees of ACORN filling out fictitious characters or people they have not contacted to vote in an apparent attempt to pad their registrations numbers, often resulting in more money for the workers.
ACORN has complied with state officials in weeding out suspicious forms and there has thus far been NO EVIDENCE that there’s a coordinated or uncoordinated effort by ACORN to register people so they can vote fraudulently.
Tom_Shipley on November 4, 2008 at 11:00 AM
I voted in Champlin MN, noone asked for my ID. Both the voters in front and behind me asked several times why this was so, since they felt (as I do), that the voter should prove they are who they say they are. The precinct judge agreed with us, but gave us a ‘what can you do?’ shrug.
Not surprised there’s voter fraud in this state. Not surprised at all.
Blue-eyed Infidel on November 4, 2008 at 11:00 AM
andycanuck beat me to it.
Has someone contacted the Fraud line to report it?
powerpro on November 4, 2008 at 11:00 AM
Funny how the term “racist” is beginning to lose all sting to me. When the threshold for being called a racist now is apparently objecting to an election being stolen… well, then… maybe the word doesn’t really mean anything anymore.
Sugar Land on November 4, 2008 at 11:02 AM
This is an Eeyore-Free Zone.
READ THIS.
And prepare for victory tonight.
ManlyRash on November 4, 2008 at 11:02 AM
There’s reports in from Chesapeake Virginia that wet ballots aren’t working in the machines. Voters coming in from the rain are dripping on the ballots so they have to store them to dry before they can be tabulated.
johnnyU on November 4, 2008 at 11:03 AM
Spare me the juvenile angst. “Easy” is what you must expect/demand from a Taco Bell drive-through. In a democratic election of the leader of the free world, it’s way down the priority list, IMO, surely below “voluntary”, “anonymous”, “accurate”, “legal”, “ethical”, and “moral”. [I know, the "M" word is in there. Go cry in your soymilk].
LibertyBoyNYC on November 4, 2008 at 11:03 AM
Well as can be seen even if you put ACORN in prison they will still register to vote from there.
William Amos on November 4, 2008 at 11:03 AM
In other news, Lizzie Borden was acquitted of murder, O.J.Simpson was acquitted of murder and, of course, the Bush/Cheney/Rove cabal stole the 2000 election.
ManlyRash on November 4, 2008 at 11:04 AM
ACORN’s federal budget under president Hussein Osama…$100 billion dollars annually.
SaintOlaf on November 4, 2008 at 11:04 AM
The new ACORN motto…When you book them, register them.
right2bright on November 4, 2008 at 11:04 AM
Because America has turned into Mr Rogers neighborhood.
Limerick on November 4, 2008 at 11:05 AM
I’m glad many of your are optimistic this morning. I don’t share it. Voter fraud has the very real possibility of stealing the election and may very well be the reason for Obama’s confidence. I know, I know. Many of those who have registered over and over again are not likely to vote more than once or even once. But if it is that simple to register multiple times it can’t be too hard for those that make a concentrated effort at deception to succeed.
Go McCain/Palin!
shick on November 4, 2008 at 11:06 AM
Acorn probe
William Amos on November 4, 2008 at 11:08 AM
Is anyone aware of the fact that Ubama is planning on redistricting democrat areas and creating legions of new democrat politicians?
You know this means a permanent demonrat majority right?
Stop him while you can.
SaintOlaf on November 4, 2008 at 11:08 AM
Tom,
The brother of the founder of Acorn stole a million dollars from the organization, to start with. Perhaps look up from TPM once and a while. Here’s some reading on the CONVICTIONS you may find enlightening.
http://pajamasmedia.com/blog/the-complete-guide-to-acorn-voter-fraud
hippie_chucker on November 4, 2008 at 11:09 AM
This nation was founded by brave, decent men who knew their actions would be viewed as treason and could result in their deaths and their families loss of their homes. They had to ask themselves how far would they go for liberty. They left us a legacy of freedom and the recognition of our natural rights, bestowed by God. I will not dishonor them by refusing to go as far as they did to preserve that legacy for future generations.
Again and again and again…I will not submit.
SKYFOX on November 4, 2008 at 11:11 AM
Touché!
maverick muse on November 4, 2008 at 11:12 AM
At least they have real names and a permanent residence…for 7 to 15 years.
SKYFOX on November 4, 2008 at 10:45 AM
Maybe I am over thinking this but….these votes need to be turned in by someone in the prison system, do they not know who the convicted felons are?
milwife88 on November 4, 2008 at 11:12 AM
I see Presidential Pardons for all ACORN employees convicted if the Messiah is elected, and possibly cabinet appointments for all ACORN execs for a job well done.
saltydogg14 on November 4, 2008 at 11:13 AM
ACORN gets out the Muslim vote
/jk
William Amos on November 4, 2008 at 11:13 AM
Correct. And I remember it well. That election day, the line for same-day registration at my polling place was out the door, filled with giggling dudes with mullets, high-fiving each other and talking loudly about how they were going to elect Jesse. And they did.
Mr. D on November 4, 2008 at 11:13 AM
You mean no evidence presented in court. That is what 6 AG (and more on the verge) are investigating right now, there is considerable evidence that has inspired (both dems and Republican) these AG’s to investigate.
And Jefferson has not been proven to have the money in his freezer, everyone has seen it, there are pictures, but it hasn’t been proven in a court of law.
Reasoning is for people who can at least add 2 + 2, if you can’t do that, then don’t comment.
right2bright on November 4, 2008 at 11:13 AM
Is anyone aware of the fact that Ubama is planning on redistricting democrat areas and creating legions of new democrat politicians?
SaintOlaf on November 4, 2008 at 11:08 AM
Didn’t Obama do that in Chicagoland so he could win much more easily (in addition to releasing sealed divorce records, etc)?
VibrioCocci on November 4, 2008 at 11:13 AM
I voted (electronically) in MD.
1) no ID requirement. All I had to do was sign.
2) no physical ballot; noting to recount.
3) The last step is to hand the digital card to an election judge, who then walks around with it instead of mixing it with the other ballots in front of you.
Creepy.
Count to 10 on November 4, 2008 at 11:13 AM
You misinterpret my remark. My point was why would Democrats need to resort to voter fraud in one of the bluest states?
Don’t know about everyone else, but I’ve already cast my vote for McCain, have been working the phones, banging on doors, and will be bailing from work early today to do more right up until the polls close.
If it moves the needle, great. If not, I’ll be able to look at myself in the mirror tomorrow…I’m in Virginia.
flipflop on November 4, 2008 at 11:14 AM
From our pal Slublog writing at Ace:
If you see voter fraud, irregularity or other suspicious activity, the McCain campaign has set up a special number to call.
866-976-VOTE
JiangxiDad on November 4, 2008 at 11:14 AM
I appreciate your efforts. Fear not: Old Dominion will come through for J-Mac and Arctic Fox.
ManlyRash on November 4, 2008 at 11:16 AM
You mean no evidence presented in court. That is what 6 AG (and more on the verge) are investigating right now, there is considerable evidence that has inspired (both dems and Republican) these AG’s to investigate.
OK then, what is that evidence?
Tom_Shipley on November 4, 2008 at 11:16 AM
When did we loose control of this Republic? It’s a reality.
Look at the apathy (or even contempt) in much this electorate for the rule of law: open borders; lax enforcement; voter registration fraud; massive FEC campaign violations; assault & destruction at nat’l conventions; the list goes on. Even the Dems caved on their own rules concerning Fl. & MI. delegates.
EM asked a great question weeks ago concerning ACORN:
Apparently, many on the Left side of the electorate simply don’t care about rules because pure mob rule – not law – is their ultimate ideal.
I kid a lot about blaming gub’mint schools for these problems, but look at the massive ignorance concerning our system of government, and the total disregard for the process. We’re failing to properly educate kids at the root level in a place where they spend 12 years of their life.
And our tax dollars are paying for this mob rule mentality with little recourse.
locomotivebreath1901 on November 4, 2008 at 11:16 AM
Jesus! It takes the fear of losing tax-exempt status to awaken the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops to stop enabling crooks, not the fear of corrupting America via dirty politics and fraudulent elections.
*Sigh. Follow the money.
maverick muse on November 4, 2008 at 11:16 AM
Correct. And I remember it well. That election day, the line for same-day registration at my polling place was out the door, filled with giggling dudes with mullets, high-fiving each other and talking loudly about how they were going to elect Jesse. And they did.
Don’t you just hate democracy?
Tom_Shipley on November 4, 2008 at 11:16 AM
Today, I am Sean Malstrom too RushBaby.
carbon_footprint on November 4, 2008 at 11:18 AM
Alas. The ACLU will complain if we go Assyrian on them for treasonous use of hands.
BKennedy on November 4, 2008 at 11:18 AM
When the rights of people are being stripped away and negated by fraud and they have no effective redress, then, revolution may be the only answer.
rplat on November 4, 2008 at 11:18 AM
You and I must have been at the same polling place. That’s exactly what I remember. Not one of them looked a day over 21, and I guarantee you every last one of them was living in a college dorm and pissing away their parents’ money on beer. When I woke up the next morning and saw the news, I honestly thought it was a joke.
Turns out I was right.
CurtZHP on November 4, 2008 at 11:20 AM
For Tom. VOTE FRAUD
Dead People Voting Throughout Florida
Thursday, October 30, 2008 – updated: 3:41 pm EDT October 30, 2008
William Amos on November 4, 2008 at 11:22 AM
WOO HOO – got to love Minnesota politics – NOT
Just say NO to Al Franken
gophergirl on November 4, 2008 at 11:22 AM
Exactly. Stand up and fight.
LibertyBoyNYC on November 4, 2008 at 11:22 AM
Depends who’s voting. Personally, I’m not keen on felons, communists, socialists, illegals, traitors, welfare recipients, teen-agers, etc. voting. And double votes for those in the military would be best.
JiangxiDad on November 4, 2008 at 11:22 AM
I’m shocked, shocked to find that fraud is going on in here!
espnjunkie on November 4, 2008 at 11:25 AM
You forgot the dead, Jimmy Johns, Nevadan Tony Romo and Mickey Mouse JiangXi
William Amos on November 4, 2008 at 11:25 AM
When McCain wins, we’ll find out if what you say is true. Otherwise, people will consider Acorn’s actions based on what they believe to be true today. I suspect Acorn has done far more damage than good for the Dems.
JiangxiDad on November 4, 2008 at 11:26 AM
Aboslutely. I despise it. So did the Founding Fathers. That’s why they gave us a Representative Republic.
Dullard.
ManlyRash on November 4, 2008 at 11:26 AM
Meh. I’ve been Sean Malstrom for several weeks – minus the detailed analysis, of course.
ManlyRash on November 4, 2008 at 11:28 AM
http://www.wgst.com/pages/listenlive.html
If anyone does not get RUSH you can listen on the puter
HardRight on November 4, 2008 at 11:32 AM
My Husband & I voted this morining in Indiana (McCain/Palin) and we both had to show our id’s and they were checked by 2 different people, one who is my cousin, but she still did her job and asked for id!!
My prayers of peace are with this country regardless of the outcome- I love this country to much to see it destroyed
Thanks to Allah, Ed & Michelle for this site- without it we would be in the dark!
Phil214 on November 4, 2008 at 11:36 AM
No, Tom, I don’t hate democracy. Jesse won and we lived with the result in Minnesota. It wasn’t pleasant, however. Fortunately, we have a real governor now.
Mr. D on November 4, 2008 at 11:37 AM
Don’t feed Tom the Troll too much guys.
Kevin in Washington State on November 4, 2008 at 11:38 AM
Funny. :o) Is that train OSHA-compliant??
hoosiermama on November 4, 2008 at 11:39 AM
IMHO, voter registration should be completely federalized, and violations punished accordingly as federal crimes (if they already aren’t).
okonkolo on November 4, 2008 at 11:39 AM
Tom, do you think non-elgible voters should be allowed to vote?
a capella on November 4, 2008 at 11:42 AM
I just got an email report about voter fraud in Lancaster County. Somebody in — where else? — Filthadelphia is calling voters and telling them their polling place has changed. It’s been reported.
Somebody needs to drop a neutron bomb on Filthadelphia.
rightwingprof on November 4, 2008 at 11:52 AM
I’m torn on that. I dislike having any more federal involvement at the state and local level, but OTOH, we’re seeing the results of local politics corrupting the process. That is the downside of letting local govenment have control. However federal processes can also be corrupted. I’m beginning to favor the “Up against the wall, M*F*R, approach to election fraud attempts. Crude, but effective.
a capella on November 4, 2008 at 11:53 AM
Well I voted here early and I’m now busy driving others to the polls, mind you I live in a very small town only about 350 people here, but the poll worker’s are saying its a bigger turn out than normal and most are McCain voters because this county was pro Hilary in the primary goooo team GOTV!!!
tee866 on November 4, 2008 at 11:55 AM
It’s going to suck if I end up whining about a stolen election for 4 years.
cntrlfrk on November 4, 2008 at 11:58 AM
thomasaur on November 4, 2008 at 12:06 PM
This really is the big, untold story. What the republicans have done a poor job of explaining to people is how dangerous the Acorn people are. Some laugh off how they register 10s of thousands of false registrants, thinking that “Mickey Mouse” will never actually show up to vote, so it’s just a registration trick. But, when the dems cram through “all mail voting”, as they in WA State (you know, the state where Dino Rossi “lost” by 130 votes after 4 or 5 recounds & King County kept “finding” new votes), the fraud can go on virtually unchecked.
You guys in swing & red states better protect yourselves from this– it’s completely over for us here. Fraud is the rule, not the exception.
Security Mom on November 4, 2008 at 12:08 PM
I used to wonder why, before every election, Maricopa County sent me a new voter card.
Last year, when I moved my residence to Texas, I got a letter from the Maricopa County Elections department asking me if I had moved. Apparently, the mailing of these cards is done ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED, and DO NOT FORWARD. It never occurred to me that I’d need to notify them, I just kind of assumed if their card came back to them as undeliverable for any reason, I’d get dropped from the rolls (which I wish they would do instead). I filled out the form to let them know I’d registered in Texas.
I appreciate the effort Maricopa County goes to try to ensure legal voting. If a resident of two states can receive mail in both, other measures are necessary, I don’t know what they’d be. But at least they do this much.
I hope that Mr Hable (sp?) in that video is prosecuted as a felon (is that state or federal?) – the rest of them too…
Shay on November 4, 2008 at 12:08 PM
Election fraud? Never!
http://jumpinginpools.blogspot.com/2008/10/obama-steadily-outpolling-mccain-among.html
orfannkyl on November 4, 2008 at 12:08 PM
capejasmine on November 4, 2008 at 12:16 PM
Because they are democrats. duh.
On a different note, I’m going to try to vote today in Texas (in my precinct) without my voter registration card OR my picture ID and see what happens…
pullingmyhairout on November 4, 2008 at 12:19 PM
They probably posed as religious counselors, with registration forms hidden in their Korans, BLT approved Bibles, copies of the Communist Manifesto, or books on Global Warming.
Buy Danish on November 4, 2008 at 12:33 PM
Not exactly. ACORN has an out. While it is not common to serve prison time for a misdemeanor, it can happen. Especially if they are a repeat offender. In such a case it may be legal for the prisoner to vote.
Hawthorne on November 4, 2008 at 12:36 PM
“How is that possible?” Well, DUUUUUUUHHHHHH!
Hawthorne: you think that the folks at the polls will check on their status, that is, whether they have more than one misdemeanor?
Christine on November 4, 2008 at 12:56 PM
Not only can you register at the polling place the day of the election, you don’t need any documentation at all. If a registered voter vouches for you, you’re in.
Hell, you could drive a van full of people from Wisconsin and have one registered Minnesota voter vouch for each of them and they could vote.
That very thing happened in Duluth in a previous election; some of the voters being vouched for didn’t even know their address. When the Republican poll watcher objected, they kicked him out.
Hollowpoint on November 4, 2008 at 1:11 PM
Is the purpose of placing a question mark at the end of this headline to cast doubt on the veracity of the report?
jay12 on November 4, 2008 at 1:48 PM
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